Question

newspaper article excerpt
newspaper article excerpt
new york times (1874)
entering the narrow hall, the olfactories sense of smell are at once started by a pungent odor, so strong in some instances as to make a sensitive person sneeze \on sight,\ or rather \on smell.\
this is, of course, the tobacco... it was said that in cold weather the odor was so overpowering and pungent, doors and windows being closed, that persons unaccustomed thereto were compelled to shut their eyes in pain. yet about 4,000 people eat, cook and sleep, as well as work, in these places. young children fall asleep from the narcotic effects of the pervading odor. women suffer greatly from it.
what was the main purpose of this type of journalism?
a. to inspire anti - immigrant feelings among the middle class
b. to expose corruption and social problems caused by industrialization
c. to convince readers to make healthy choices in their lives
d. to frighten people away from urban areas to reduce crowding

Explanation:

This is an example of muckraking/early investigative journalism from the Gilded Age, which focused on documenting and exposing the harsh, unhealthy social conditions in urban areas brought on by industrialization and overcrowding. The excerpt details the overwhelming, harmful living conditions in a crowded space, which aligns with the goal of highlighting such problems. Option A is incorrect as there is no focus on immigrants; Option C is incorrect because the goal is not personal health choices but systemic urban issues; Option D is incorrect as the text does not aim to frighten people away but to reveal the existing problems.

Answer:

B. to expose corruption and social problems caused by industrialization